Tourism numbers drop in Malta

Last year saw fewer tourists visit Malta, according to new figures.

A report compiled by Deloitte for the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) found that tourist arrivals and guest night numbers fell by four per cent in 2006.

Tourists also spent 1.2 per cent less when visiting the country, the figures reveal.

Overall last year, arrival numbers were down two per cent, while guest night generation was down 8.3 per cent, Malta Media reports.

Maltese prime minister Lawrence Gonzi said that more needed to be done in the country's tourism industry to attract visitors.

"We have not done enough and more still needs to be done," he told the Malta Independent.

He said that the government would do its best to support the tourism industry and invest more money into to it in order to help boost figures.